The next decade cannot be a decade of confrontation and contention. It cannot be east vs. West. It cannot be men vs. women. It cannot be Islam vs. Christianity. That is what the enemies of dialogue want. Benazir Bhutto More Quotes by Benazir Bhutto More Quotes From Benazir Bhutto Extremism can flourish only in an environment where basic governmental social responsibility for the welfare of the people is neglected. Political dictatorship and social hopelessness create the desperation that fuels religious extremism. Benazir Bhutto responsibility religious people Democracy is the best revenge. Benazir Bhutto democracy freedom revenge I don't fear death. I remember my last meeting with my father when he told me, "You know, tonight when I will be killed, my mother and my father will be waiting for me." It makes me weepy ... but I don't think it can happen unless God wants it to happen because so many people have tried to kill me. Benazir Bhutto mother father thinking As a woman leader, I thought I brought a different kind of leadership. I was interested in women's issues, in bringing down the population growth rate... as a woman, I entered politics with an additional dimension - that of a mother. Benazir Bhutto issues leader mother The Internet is the great equalizer.The technology which emanated from the Silicon Valley of California has more potential to ameliorate social inequality than any development in the history of the world, including the industrial revolution. Benazir Bhutto valleys california technology When the United States aligns with dictatorships and totalitarian regimes, it compromises the basic democratic principles of its foundation - namely, life, liberty and justice for all. Benazir Bhutto justice-for-all foundation liberty We learned at an early age that it was men's interpretation of our religion that restricted women's opportunities, not our religion itself. Islam in fact had been quite progressive toward women from its inception. Benazir Bhutto islam opportunity men Oppression does not know the meaning of provincial boundaries. Aren't our energies better spent fighting the common enemy instead of each other? Benazir Bhutto fighting war enemy The government I led gave ordinary people peace, security, dignity, and opportunity to progress. Benazir Bhutto government opportunity people No, I am not pregnant. I am fat. And, as the Prime Minister, its my right to be fat if I want to. Benazir Bhutto ministers prime want I believe that democracies do not go to war; that's the lesson of history, and I think that a democratic Pakistan is the world community's best guarantee of stability in Asia. Benazir Bhutto war believe thinking America's greatest contribution to the world is its concept of democracy, its concept of freedom, freedom of action, freedom of speech, and freedom of thought. Benazir Bhutto freedom-of-speech democracy america Every dictator uses religion as a prop to keep himself in power. Benazir Bhutto women use religion Democracy is necessary to peace and to undermining the forces of terrorism. Benazir Bhutto democracies-have terrorism democracy The forces of moderation and democracy must, and will, prevail against extremism and dictatorship. I will not be intimidated... Despite threats of death, I will not acquiesce to tyranny, but rather lead the fight against it. Benazir Bhutto democracy fighting courage While living in America when I attended Harvard in the early 1970s, I saw for myself the awesome, almost miraculous, power of a people to change policy through democratic means. Benazir Bhutto mean america people I was brought up to believe that human beings are good, which is why it shocks me to the core when I see human beings behaving badly. Benazir Bhutto behaving-badly shock believe I have led an unusual life. I have buried a father killed at age 50 and two brothers killed in the prime of their lives. I raised my children as a single mother when my husband was arrested and held for eight years without a conviction - a hostage to my political career. Benazir Bhutto brother mother children I was a very shy girl who led an insulated life; it was only when I came to Oxford, and to Harvard before that, that suddenly I saw the power of people. I didn't know such a power existed, I saw people criticising their own president; you couldn't do that in Pakistan - you'd be thrown in prison. Benazir Bhutto girl oxford people I seek to lead a democratic Pakistan which is free from the yoke of military dictatorship and that will cease to be a haven, the very petri dish of international terrorism. Benazir Bhutto pakistan yoke military